Rolling waters

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday Morning Session of the October 1979 Conference.

For some reason I have been thinking about the phrase "How long can rolling waters remain impure" from the Doctrine and Covenants. I keep wondering what it means. Two thoughts, in different talks, from this conference session seemed to approach the topic. First, Elder Bernard P. Brockbank on prayer:

All of us, like Enos, need to continually have our sins and weaknesses swept away through repentance, confession, and sincere prayer.

For some reason that wording—sins and weaknesses "continually swept away"—made me think of a fast-flowing stream, where the cleansing water won't allow sediment to settle, but carries it constantly away downstream.

The other idea comes from Elder Marvin J. Ashton's talk on change. He says:

There is nothing so unchanging, so inevitable as change itself. The things we see, touch, and feel are always changing. Relationships between friends, husband and wife, father and son, brother and sister are all dynamic, changing relationships. There is a constant that allows us to use change for our own good, and that constant is the revealed eternal truths of our Heavenly Father. 

We need not feel that we must forever be what we presently are. There is a tendency to think of change as the enemy. Many of us are suspect of change and will often fight and resist it before we have even discovered what the actual effects will be. When change is thought through carefully, it can produce the most rewarding and profound experiences in life. The changes we make must fit the Lord’s purposes and patterns.

Again, the emphasis on continual change made me think of a moving stream. I thought it was interesting that he highlighted relationships as an example of constant change, because I've been thinking about that too. I'm realizing that "standing still" in a relationship isn't really possible, because either we are changing, or the other person is changing, or both. I can't use the same types of discipline, motivation, or even communication with my children for very long before something changes and I need to re-evaluate. It can be frustrating and hard, but I guess that constant attention to and interaction with the details of our relationships is part of what helps them grow strong.

Elder Ashton also talks about how changes in church leadership, policies, and callings will give us chances to grow:

Our vision may be limited. Seldom are changes made that do not bring needed progress to a person or a situation. How often in retrospect have we thought, “I didn’t understand why that change was made in the program or why that person was given such a calling, but now I can see that it was just what was needed for the time.” 

During transitional times—and there are always transitional times in our Church—patience, love, and long-suffering are needed.

I see the "rolling waters" of change in my own life, and I feel apprehension about them. But I am trying to accept that this is part of God's plan. We need brisk, refreshing, continual cleansing (as individuals and as a church) to help keep impurities from accumulating. And the waters of change can play that role for us.


Other posts in this series:

• What is the Mystery? What is the Secret? by G
• Scriptures: The Very Word of God by Jan Tolman